Mr John Casson CMG has been appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt in succession to Mr James Watt CVO, who is retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Mr Casson will take up his appointment in August 2014.

Mr Casson moves to Cairo from 10 Downing Street where he was the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Private Secretary from 2010 to 2014. He received a CMG in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

His career has had a strong focus on the Arab world, including as Deputy Ambassador in Jordan, as Head of the FCO’s Near East and North Africa Department, and accompanying the Prime Minister on his visit to Egypt in 2011. From 2002-2005 he held the high profile role leading the US political outreach of the British Embassy in Washington. He has also worked in the UK Representation to the EU in Brussels and as Senior Policy Adviser in HM Treasury. Before entering Government he worked as a Research Assistant at Cambridge University and in the House of Commons. He moves to Cairo with his wife Kathryn Casson, who has been Private Secretary to the Development Secretary from 2011 to 2014.

On his appointment as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr Casson said:

Egypt’s current period of challenge and change will shape the long-term future for Egyptians, and will be pivotal for the region. Britain has a deep interest in Egypt’s political, security and economic success - and in a broad and productive relationship that delivers for British and Egyptian people alike. I am proud to have the privilege and responsibility of leading our teams in Egypt at this vital time.